COURSE SYLLABUS: Spring 2014
English 2332.13: World Literature I: Before the Seventeenth Century: 3 credit hours
MEETING LOCATION: Evans Room #417
MEETING TIMES: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 10:00-10:50 a.m.
PROFESSOR: Dr. Linda J. Webster
OFFICE LOCATION: Evans 306
PROFESSOR CONTACT INFORMATION:
Tel. # and Voice Mail: 294-1425
E-mail: LindaWebster@shsu.edu
Eng. Dept. Fax #: 936/294-1408
OFFICE HOURS:
MWF: 9-10 a.m.; 12-2 p.m.
Others by appt. only
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
ENGL 2332 features “readings in the classical, medieval, and modern
masterpieces of the western world.” This course is designed to introduce (or reintroduce) you to some of the most important poetic and dramatic works in the European
literary tradition, works which have helped to shape the world in which we live today. In
addition, you will have the opportunity here to improve your reading and writing skills as
you experience the universally admired excellence of artists such as Homer, Dante, and
Shakespeare, and as you construct an essay demonstrating your knowledge and
understanding of the literature.
Prerequisites: English 1301, 1302.
Class will be conducted primarily as a combination of lecture and class/group discussion. Students are expected to actively
participate in class discussions and in small group discussion and presentation.
A detailed course calendar, announcing class assignments, activities, due dates, and reminders, will be
distributed every four weeks. Dr. Webster reserves the right to make changes to this calendar at any time during
the semester. These will be announced during class.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
***Gain a broader understanding and appreciation of intellectual/cultural
activity (music, science, literature, etc.)
**Gain factual knowledge (terminology, classification, methods, trends)
**Learn to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of
view
REQUIRED TEXTS: *It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the following texts at the beginning of
the semester.**
*PRINTED COPY OF TEXT MUST BE BROUGHT TO CLASS--No electronic copies used in class*
CHECK THE ISBN AGAINST THE BOOKS YOU HAVE PURCHASED! There are many editions and
translations of these books!
The Oresteia by Aeschylus / Translator: Robert Fagles / Publisher: Penguin Classics / 978-014-044333-2
The Three Theban Plays by Sophocles / Translator: Robert Fagles / Publisher: Penguin Classics /
978-014-044425-4
Hamlet by Shakespeare / Publisher: Folger Shakespeare Library / 978-074-347712-3
The Odyssey by Homer / Translator: Robert Fitzgerald / Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/
978-037-452574-3
The Divine Comedy 1: Hell (Inferno) by Dante / Translator: Dorothy Sayers / Publisher: Penguin Classics /
978-014-044006-5
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
The university stresses the importance of punctuality and regular attendance. All students
are expected to attend every class, and attendance will definitely be taken into consideration in final computation
of a student's course grade. Attendance will be recorded each class day, so a student must notify the professor of
a legitimate absence BEFORE class time on that day (via e-mail or phone message). With appropriate prior
notification of a student’s absence, the professor will work with the student to make up any missed work. A
student who misses more than THREE classes during the semester is in danger of failing the course.
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Arriving for class late or leaving class early counts as half-an-absence. Sleeping, reading, checking
facebook, etc. counts as a full absence and will result in the student’s expulsion from the class for that
day.
GRADE DETERMINATION:
4 Unit Exams
Final Exam is last unit exam
500-word Essay
Daily Average
17% each
20%
12%
GRADING SCALE: 90-100=A
80-89 =B
70-79 =C
60-69 =D
59 or below=F
All graded assignments will be returned to the student within a reasonable amount of time. There will be NO extra
credit offered in this course.
EXAMS:
All four unit exams will consist of a combination of the following types of questions: short answer/essay,
multiple choice, and matching. The Final Exam is not comprehensive; it is a unit exam.
A student must notify the professor of a legitimate absence, i.e., emergency, BEFORE class time on
exam day (via e-mail or phone message). With appropriate prior notification of a student’s absence, the
professor will work with the student to make up the missed exam.
ESSAY:
Students will choose one of the works covered during the first half of the semester and write a 500-word
essay (5—paragraph essay) on one of the topics listed. MLA format must be used throughout the paper.
Direct quotations from the text of your chosen literary selection must be included for support. FOLLOW
THIS FORMAT CAREFULLY! An abbreviated MLA format is included in your course packet.
TURN-IT-IN.COM (through BLACKBOARD): The 500-word essay will be submitted to Dr. Webster through Turnitin.com
via BLACKBOARD. Instructions will be provided in class. *No credit will be given for a paper
that is not submitted through this site.*
DAILY GRADES:
These grades may consist of quizzes (both announced and unannounced), questions over
reading assignments and/or lecture notes, group work, and credit for class preparation and
participation. Any student who has all his/her daily grades at the end of the semester may drop
his/her lowest grade. No grade will be dropped for anyone who misses a daily grade without
notifying the professor ahead of time. (See ATTENDANCE POLICY above.) A student may only
miss 2 daily quizzes without being penalized.
WRITING-ENHANCED CREDIT:
SHSU WRITING CENTER:
INSTRUCTOR EVALUATIONS:
This course is designated writing-enhanced. According to Sam Houston State
University, you must take at least six courses that carry the designation writingenhanced. The official definition of a writing-enhanced course is one in which
50% or more of the grade is based on written assignments. In this course, more
than 50% of your semester grade is based directly on your writing.
Sam Houston State University Writing Center, located in Farrington 111, is open daily.
Specific hours will be announced and posted on The Writing Center’s website. Writing
tutors will work with you one-on-one to help you generate a draft, organize a draft, or
revise a draft of any assignment. You can just drop by to work with a tutor or call
936/294-3680 to schedule an appointment.
All students will be asked to complete a course/instructor evaluation form toward
the end of the semester.
CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT:
1. Students will refrain from behavior in the classroom that intentionally or unintentionally disrupts the learning
process and, thus, impedes the mission of the University.
2. Students are prohibited from using tobacco products, making offensive remarks, reading newspapers, sleeping,
talking in inappropriate times, wearing inappropriate clothing, or engaging in any other form of distraction.
3. Students should bring appropriate materials to class every day. The course packet and textbook or paperback
novel should be with you at every class meeting.
4. Drinks (nonalcoholic) may be consumed during class. Snacking is also allowed if it does not distract other
students or the professor.
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5. Except in the rare case of an absolute emergency, leaving the classroom during class time is considered
rude and inappropriate and will not be tolerated. Only when the professor dismisses class should
students leave the room. In a special situation where a student needs to leave early on a particular day, he/she
should discuss the matter with the professor BEFORE class.
6. Inappropriate behavior in the classroom shall result in a directive to leave class. Students who are especially
disruptive also may be reported to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action in accordance with University
policy.
CELL PHONES, LAPTOP COMPUTERS, PAGERS, ETC.:
*Only with a formal request from the Counseling Center will a student be allowed to use ANY electronic device during
class to aid in the learning process.*
As members of the classroom community, all students have a responsibility to others who are a part of that
community. The goal is to produce an environment that is conducive to learning. Students are to treat faculty and other
students with respect. Cell phones, laptop computers, pagers, and similar devices have become increasingly a part of
everyday life in our society; however, when used in the classroom environment they can become disruptive. Students are
to turn off all cell phones and other electronic equipment while in the classroom. When cell phones or pagers ring and
students respond in class or leave class to respond, it disrupts the class. *Therefore, the use by students of cell
phones, pagers, or similar communication devices during scheduled class-time is prohibited.* All such devices
should be turned off or put in a silent (vibrate) mode and ordinarily should not be taken out during class. If there is an
emergency situation for a student, that student should inform the instructor and place himself/herself in a seat near the
door where an exit for a phone call would be only minimally disruptive. With instructor approval, students may record
lectures, take notes via laptop computer, etc., provided that they do not disturb other students in the process. Other
exceptions to this policy may be granted at the discretion of the instructor. Any use of cell phones or other electronic
devices during a test period is prohibited. Even the visible presence of a cell phone or other device during the test period
may result in a zero for that test. Use of a cell phone during a test could result in a charge of academic dishonesty. During
the test these instruments should be left at home or stored securely in such a way that they cannot be seen or used by the
student.
For a complete copy of Student Guidelines, see:
http://www.shsu.edu/students/StudentGuidelines2007_2008.pdf
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: A paper/assignment that can be proven to have been plagiarized will receive an
automatic zero (whether its worth is 10% or 50% of the grade). The second offense will lead to an automatic F for the
entire course.
All students are expected to engage in all academic pursuits in a manner that is above reproach. Students are expected
to maintain honesty and integrity in the academic experiences both in and out of the classroom. Any student found guilty
of dishonesty in any phase of academic work will be subject to disciplinary action. The University and its official
representatives may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of any form of academic dishonesty
including but not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work which is to be submitted, plagiarism,
collusion and the abuse of resource materials. For a complete listing of the university policy, see:
http://www.shsu.edu/administrative/faculty/sectionb.html#dishonesty
STUDENT ABSENCES ON RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS POLICY: Section 51.911(b) of the Texas Education Code requires
that an institution of higher education excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including
examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. Section 51.911 (a) (2) defines
a religious holy day as: “a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation
under Section 11.20….” A student whose absence is excused under this subsection may not be penalized for that
absence and shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment from which the student is excused within
a reasonable time after the absence.
University policy 861001 provides the procedures to be followed by the student and instructor. A student desiring to
absent himself/herself from a scheduled class in order to observe (a) religious holy day(s) shall present to each instructor
involved a written statement concerning the religious holy day(s). The instructor will complete a form notifying the student
of a reasonable timeframe in which the missed assignments and/or examinations are to be completed. For a complete
listing of the university policy, see: http://www.shsu.edu/~vaf_www/aps/documents/861001.pdf
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES POLICY: It is the policy of Sam Houston State University that individuals otherwise
qualified shall not be excluded, solely by reason of their disability, from participation in any academic program of the
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university. Further, they shall not be denied the benefits of these programs nor shall they be subjected to discrimination.
Students with disabilities that might affect their academic performance are expected to visit with the Office of Services for
Students with Disabilities located in the Counseling Center . They should then make arrangements with their individual
instructors so that appropriate strategies can be considered and helpful procedures can be developed to ensure that
participation and achievement opportunities are not impaired.
SHSU adheres to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing
reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. If you have a disability that may affect adversely your work in
this class, then I encourage you to register with the SHSU Counseling Center and to talk with me about how I can best
help you. All disclosures of disabilities will be kept strictly confidential. NOTE: No accommodation can be made until you
register with the Counseling Center . For a complete listing of the university policy, see:
http://www.shsu.edu/~vaf_www/aps/811006.pdf
VISITORS IN THE CLASSROOM: Only registered students may attend class. Exceptions can be made on a case-bycase basis by the professor. In all cases, visitors must not present a disruption to the class by their attendance. Students
wishing to audit a class must apply to do so through the Registrar's Office.
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COURSE OUTLINE: GENERAL TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR SEMESTER’S ACTIVITIES
ENGLISH 2332W: Spring 2014
A detailed course calendar, announcing class assignments, activities, due dates, and reminders, will be distributed every
four weeks. Dr. Webster reserves the right to make changes to this calendar at any time during the semester. These will
be announced during class.
Weeks 1-4:
Jan 15th-Feb 7th
Course Introduction
Greek Drama: Agamemnon; Antigone
**Exam #1: Friday--February 7th**
Weeks 5-8:
Feb 10th-March 7th
Hamlet
**Exam #2: Friday—March 7th**
**SPRING BREAK: March 10th-14th**
Weeks 9-12:
March 17th-April 11th
The Odyssey
**Essay Due**: April 4th**
**Exam #3: Friday--April 11th**
Weeks 13-16:
April 14th-May 8th
The Divine Comedy
FINAL EXAMS: May 5th-8th
**FINAL EXAM for this class:
Monday, May 5th: 11 a.m.-1:00
p.m.**
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